As the race for The Premier League and Champions League hots up, with the top four English clubs competing for glory, many fans will be focusing on the attacking talents of their teams. But at this crucial stage of the season it can be a solid, reliable defence that makes all the difference.
Looking at the current top three, they all have what I’d call a proper centre back. The leaders, and the team I’d still be backing for title, Manchester United have Nemanja Vidic, who has arguably been their most impressive performer this season.
Vidic crunches into tackles and is as brave as anybody I can remember playing against in the air. He’s a dominant force in both penalty areas, and one poor performance against Liverpool aside, he’s been a rock for United.
John Terry is another old school centre half and an inspirational leader for Chelsea. The Blues have improved greatly since Guus Hiddink took charge, with the Dutchman adding more organisation and solidity to the defence.
Terry is back to his best, performing well in a settled back four for both club and country. He and Frank Lampard will be influential if Chelsea get their hands on any silverware come May.
At Anfield, Jamie Carragher’s passion and commitment is as vital to the Liverpool cause as Steven Gerrard in my view. Carragher holds the back four together and The Reds look a much more solid side when he’s playing a centre half. He can do a job at right-back, but his strength of character and man-marking ability set him aside as a top class central defender.
Arsenal don’t really have a dominant force at the back and I think that’s why they’ve struggled to mount a genuine title challenge. The form of William Gallas has been impressive since January, but he and Kolo Toure lack the grit and pure defensive skills that Vidic, Terry and Carragher possess.
Though, with Gallas likely to miss the rest of the season through injury, Arsenal’s recent renaissance might hit the buffers despite the return of their most exciting attacking talents.
In what’s been an extremely tight campaign, the slender lead United have gained has been built on a solid defence. Vidic and Rio Ferdinand were influential as The Red Devil’s kept a record eleven successive Premier League clean sheets.
It’s no surprise that with Vidic and Ferdinand missing in recent weeks, United have looked vulnerable at the back and the team’s form has suffered as a result.
So, as this exciting season approaches its climax, keep an eye on the top four’s back fours. Both the Premier League and Champions League titles are likely to be claimed by the team that keeps their dominant defenders on the pitch until the end of May.